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"In that case, Senior Yashiro, how do you think I should proceed with this mission?"
"I support any decision that is beneficial to the Uchiha."
Yashiro Uchiha didn't give a direct answer. He looked at Night meaningfully. "But before that, I must warn you: the Chinoike clan is more dangerous than you imagine.
Although their Ketsuryūgan is inferior to the Sharingan in raw power, in certain aspects, it is far more eerie and insidious."
"Thank you for the warning, Senior."
Night nodded, acknowledging the goodwill, and continued, "But since I'm here, I naturally came prepared."
Yashiro sized him up, then suddenly asked, "Being sent here by the village... your current strength isn't as simple as it appears on the surface, is it?"
Night smiled without answering, appearing relaxed.
Seeing his expression, Yashiro knew his guess was correct. He turned and walked toward the outpost, saying, "Follow me. There is some intel that might be useful to you."
Night followed Yashiro's footsteps into the hidden camp.
The outpost was built into the mountainside, its interior much more spacious than it appeared from the outside.
A detailed map of Hell Valley hung on the wall, marking the Chinoike clan's living quarters and the Uchiha patrol routes.
"Sit."
Yashiro pointed to a simple wooden chair and sat opposite him. "First, I must make it clear: due to our agreement with the Cloud Village, the Uchiha cannot provide you with any overt assistance."
Night remained impassive. "Understood."
Seeing Night wasn't surprised, Yashiro changed the subject. "However... the Chinoike clan has indeed been restless lately. Riots break out from time to time.
If you can make them cause a big enough disturbance—something that completely cuts off their fantasy of being recalled by the Raikage, or even causes them to kill each other and weaken their strength..."
He paused deliberately, observing Night's reaction. "As long as it doesn't harm Uchiha interests, I will choose to turn a blind eye."
A gleam of understanding flashed in Night's eyes. "So, Senior Yashiro hopes to use my hand to free the Uchiha from this guard duty?"
"Guarding this place day after day for years... the Uchiha have paid too much already," Yashiro said, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
Then he added, "If you can make this happen, the Uchiha won't forget this favor."
Night tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, not agreeing immediately. "But as far as I know, the Cloud Village does intend to recall the Chinoike clan.
The Third Raikage has an excellent relationship with the new Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. It's very likely they'll do this to strengthen their village.
After all, they even covet Kekkei Genkai from other villages. Why would they ignore a piece of meat already in their mouth?"
"That is exactly the crux of the problem."
A sharp glint appeared in Yashiro's eyes. "Konoha, of course, does not wish to see the Cloud's strength increase. But the Uchiha were hired by the Cloud for this task before that shift in policy. Caught between the two, our position is awkward."
Night looked thoughtful. "So Senior Yashiro wants either the Chinoike or the Cloud—one of them—to give up the idea of the recall on their own?"
"Precisely."
Yashiro lowered his voice and continued, "If the Chinoike's strength isn't worth the Cloud's recruitment, or if they display uncontrollable danger...
The Cloud will naturally reconsider. At that time, the Uchiha can also be freed from this mission."
Night nodded. Before coming here, he had thought this mission might be complicated. But being here in person, he realized it wasn't just troublesome; it involved a geopolitical game between great nations.
He wondered what the Uchiha clan was thinking back then to accept such a thankless task.
That said, the more chaotic this mess was, the better suited it was for him to fish in troubled waters.
In short: Nothing to it, just practice makes perfect!
Seeing Night deep in thought, Yashiro pulled a scroll from his vest. "This is some internal intelligence on the Chinoike clan.
Remember, once you step out this door, I will not admit we ever had this conversation."
Night took the scroll, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Of course. I am just a Konoha Chunin executing a mission. I know nothing about the Uchiha's internal affairs."
Just as he stood up to leave, Yashiro suddenly added, "Watch out for Hachitsutsu. He's been in Hell Valley too long. He can no longer distinguish who he is truly serving."
This meaningful warning had a subtext that couldn't be clearer.
"Thanks for the tip."
Night nodded in acknowledgment, his figure disappearing silently outside the outpost.
After he left, Yashiro looked at the map of Hell Valley on the wall, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He had heard many rumors about this "civilian genius." Perhaps he really could break the deadlock in Hell Valley.
---
The night was as dark as ink. Night moved rapidly using the shadows of the rock walls, his Mind's Eye of the Kagura fully expanded.
The deeper he went into the valley, the heavier the nauseating smell of sulfur became. The air was also permeated with a faint scent of blood.
The Chinoike settlement was built on a relatively flat area at the bottom of the valley, consisting of scattered, crude stone houses.
Several figures wandered in the night, each pair of eyes flickering with an abnormal blood-red light.
Night lurked in a rock crevice, unfurling the scroll given by Yashiro. When his gaze landed on the name "En Oyashiro," a meaningful smile curved his lips.
"A marginalized figure in the Chinoike clan..." he murmured, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Putting away the scroll, he decided that finding this "Clan-Killing Genius"—who rivaled Itachi Uchiha in fame (or infamy)—was the first step. His plan could start with him.
He didn't move immediately. Instead, he hid on the spot, pondering the details of his plan while observing the locations of the Chinoike clansmen.
Suddenly sensing two relatively strong chakra signatures approaching slowly, he immediately used Ice Release combined with Sealing Jutsu to suppress his heartbeat and aura to the absolute minimum.
After all, the Chinoike was a dojutsu clan, not pure brawlers like the Kaguya who were easy to fool. Caution was key.
Moments later, two Chinoike clansmen in tattered kimonos walked past nearby. Their eyes emitted an eerie red glow in the darkness.
"The Cloud envoys will arrive in a few days. This might be our last chance," one of them whispered.
"Matriarch Momoe is still hesitating," the other replied hoarsely. "She still believes the Raikage will honor his promise."
"Too foolish! The Cloud just wants to use our Kekkei Genkai. Has she forgotten who brought about our suffering?"
As their conversation faded into the distance, Night emerged from the shadows, his eyes shining.
Cloud envoys arriving soon? That was unexpected intel. It seemed his plan needed a slight adjustment.
---
At the other end of Hell Valley, Hachitsutsu Uchiha stood on a high vantage point of the outpost, watching the direction where Night had disappeared. His scarlet Sharingan rotated slowly.
"Yashiro... what exactly are you plotting..." he muttered to himself, his figure slowly melting into the darkness.
At this moment, Hell Valley was like a powder keg ready to explode. Multiple factions were converging here.
And Night Namikaze was about to be the one to light the fuse.